Mark Bicknell

Seen this mentioned on here recently just wondering if there is any demand and current value on Little Oscar - Empty Bottles - Palos - Nice clean condition, possibly one for the R'n'B collectors and DJ's....For sale once i've established value. Contact bicknellmark@aol.com tel 0161 330 6267. Regards and thanks - Mark Bicknell.

Thelma, Ric - Tic, Okeh, many of the majors, RCA, Decca, Verve, MGM etc. the list is endless. Mark Bicknell.

Cheers Bazza, Victors is still a great record, i've not played it for a bit and it sounded good again, quality tune. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Spot on Baz. Mark Bicknell.

Mr Jones this Sunday 8pm - 10pm www.solarradio.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Just like to add this on a more serious note, i suddenly thought that some people may like some of the records mentioned so to them i love April Stevens really....lol Mark Bicknell.

I think it matters very little how old a record is, what decade it was recorded in within the boundries of the scene 60's, 70,s etc. etc. and how often it's been played, if there is a quality there in the first place examples like George Blackwell, Billy Prophit, Earl Jackson, Duke Browner, Willie Hutch, Ronnie McNeir, Sam Williams, Ty Karim and dozens of others prove to be timeless because they are simply quality records which have stood the test of time, i believe we are in the best possible postion now circa 2006 to be able to select the best we can to play, dance to, collect and enjoy from whatever style and era, forty years of club culture is something to be proud of, even better to still be part of. My own personal taste has changed dramatically over the years, now if i get fed up or bored with a tune rather than keep playing it i moove it on and chase other tunes, but there are some tunes which i simply can't part with such as the examples given above, we all have favorite records, periods of the scene, memories conneted with venues and records played which is all part of us, i'm not ashamed to say that the likes of Roscoe Robinson - That's Enough - Gerri/Wand, Willie Tee - Thank You John - Atlantic and again many more will always rate in my all time favorite list, why? simply quality recordings nothing more. Of course we need new discoveries for the good of natural progression as a music scene, but to suggest that oldies fans could be holding us back is really a little blinkered as i believe the scene today is in the main retro nostalgia based which is driven by the classic tunes at many venues, there should and is a balance with pockets of DJ's and venues going at it in a more open minded approach blending all the styles, era's etc. together, new with the old but having said that people deside what that want to collect, listen and dance too, i for one will never down anyone who perhaps likes oldies only, i'm more pleased that we are all still going at it so whatever floats your boat should be applaued and not looked down upon, personally i like to hear different and unknown tunes then i can deside myself if i like them or not and again what's good for one person may not be the case for another, it's all horses for cources with this old chestnut. We have so much stuff to go at which speaks volumes to me at least of how lucky we all are to have such a vast amount of records to go at, thousands of them, i agree it's a little short sighted to constantly go at the same tried and tested tunes week in week out, for me this becomes boring but again if some people only want this to get their Northern Soul fix then fine, we can select the venues we attend and avoid the ones we feel can't deliver what we are looking for, this has been stated before on SS and makes sense to me at least. There are enough venues out there to provide everyone connected with the scene what they musically and personally want and if not collecting what you want and like should fill the void if you can't find a venue to cater for your personal taste, the chase and the wanting of certain records keeps us all going, finding a well balanced venue offering something for everyone also plays it's part in keeping the scene alive, nothing beats 2000 people all as one clapping to The Jades - I'm Where It's At...has to be where it's at and what it's all about...the same can be said if it's The Mellow Souls or even Frank Wilson....there's nothing quite like Soul music it's inside us all...for life. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Just thought of two more....Barbara Mills - Queen Of Fools and April Stevens - Wanting You.....these two will possibly upset one or two people but yuck!!!! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Here's a top contender has to be Blanch Carter - Halo's Are For Angles........aweful record! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

I've seen it listed in recent times for around £50.00, another awesome tune waiting to have it's day at the gigs. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Stunning record Karen, records like this need playing more...awesome tune. Mark Bicknell.

Top show promised for tonight Sunday September 3rd 2006 www.solarradio.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.

It jolly well is real...lol Mark Bicknell.

Just adding the revised news to the bottom of the thread, thanks. Mark Bicknell.

Perhaps a 60's soul club classic would sum it all up....'Hold On, I'm Coming'.........lol thinks about it! Mark Bicknell.

I'll have three quids worth of Neil Jones as he's very at home in Shack's.....lol as long as he has thirty bob on me, thats £1.50 in new money.......on second thoughts call it a quid...lol first record has to be Shep - Fool To Fool just for the doggie! Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Ricky, what a nice thing to say although i'm no hero mate....lol on a serious note i think if you have a passion for the music, commitment and dedication then the genuine people who care shine through all the negatives, what i try and do via the radio show is real i have no agenda but to play two hours of quality music every Sunday, i try to reflect this ethos when i DJ at the venues, i used to get drawn into the real gritty stuff on here but choose not to get involved as sometimes shit has a habbit of hitting the fan and comes straight back at you. This site has several sections and i tend to stick to the ones that share information on venues, records, sales sections etc. people come and go on here as it's already been said, sometimes as with anything in life if you spend to much time on something even the most passionate subject can become a little stale, you can start to spend all hours of the day and night on here and can take some topics a little too seriously, this scene and it's music can get under your skin, hard to split it from being a pass time or hobby to an obession and a way of life, i think if the scene is your life then people are very protective and sensative to any negative comment or points of view, yes some posts are done to cause reaction and effect and sometimes people bite. As Pete S said this is a great site to share information and if it was not there then it would be missed by many people, i do think that free speach is so important and this site provides a plattform to vent a varried and well balanced selection of topics and again if you don't like or wish to get involved with some stuff then simply don't, use and share rather than walking away. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Get to bed you lot or go out Soulin', sitting on here all hours of the day and night....honestly, i would be out but working, good show though. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Five selections for next weeks show........... The Voice Masters - If A Woman Catches A Fool - Bamboo DJ I heard Paul Sadot play this i think at 'Soul Or Nothing' in Manchester, sounded fantastic and really needs playing more. Jimmy Burns - I Tried - Minit - Awesome singer, awesome record. Jimmy Holiday - Shield All Around - KT - Written, arranged and produced by Ed Townsend...say no more. Ortheia Barnes - I've Never Loved Nobody (Like I Love You ) Coral DJ - Oh and the flip Waiting For Joey....stunning two for the price of one. The Cheers - Take Me To Paradise - Okeh - Fabulous record. As ever for requests, mentions and dedications contact bicknellmark@aol.com Neil Jones will be the guest on Sunday September 10th leading up to the Bury Town Hall Soul Night on Friday 15th September...see you there as i'm playing a few in the main room. Regards - Mark Bicknell www.solarradio.com

BUGGER ME WAS THAT GOOD OR WHAT!!!! - I have to say that all the recent guests on the show have been awesome, Chris was top draw for me, it restores one's faith in the scene with all the negatives around sometimes, then you get a guy like Chris who's only agenda is quality music, radio don't you just love it?....well i do, thanks Chris. Regards - Mark Bicknell. www.solarradio.com

Thanks for your comments, all down to Chris Anderton tonight, fantastic......more of the same to follow, if there is one thing i can give this scene perhaps not at the gigs on such a regular basis but from the shows perspective is to show the depth of music we can all go at and enjoy, of course i will play any and all requests if people take the time to contact me, having said that it's about the Aladins cave of tunes that need playing, the guests i have on the show reflect these comments and Mr Anderton was simply stunning. Regards - Mark Bicknell. www.solarradio.com

The kettle is on mate, see you in a few minutes, looking forward to a top show tonight. Regards - Mark Bicknell. www.solarradio.com

Two Stories I have of Pete The first, after an all-nighter somewhere (can't remember where) he came back to mine (my ex wife and my house in Halifax) and before I knew it he stayed for about a week 'cos he couldn't be bothered going back and facing his Mum - and the fact that there was a recording studio in Huddersfield with a 60's ampex 'cutting' machine for his EMI's ! And the second, at a soul nite in Preston I think it was, he was sitting with his records next to Derek Pearson who's also a nice lad but I think Derek had taken some you know what and was getting a little bit loud so Pete just got up, never said a word and poured his whole pint on top of Derek's head. Mental he surely was but that was his character and I loved him for it. Mick Howard (ex Yorkshire - now Scotland)

Another top show in prospect, looking forward to it Chris. Regards - Mark Bicknell.

Chris Anderton will be joing me in the Soul Shack this coming Sun August 27th from 8pm - 10pm - www.solarradio.com - CHANNEL 0129 SKY DIGITAL - A top show is promised with Chris selecting all the tunes from his wonderful collection, Neil Jones will also be joining me for another special coming up on Sun September 10th. Hope to see many of you at The Orwell this coming Friday August 25th for the mini Allnighter in two fantastic rooms, will be raising a few quid we hope towrds the preservation of the Soul Shack, also looking forward to the event at Marine Broker in London on Saturday September 9th, thanks in advance for the support and donations. See events section for further details. I'll be reviewing/previewing the superb new Mirwood Volume Two CD from Ace/Kent on the Sun September 3rd show, another real beauty of a CD compiled by Mr Croasdell of course.Kevin Cox of Soul Spinner will be popping in real soon to play some wonderful selections via his superb new website which features some tasty tunes on it. For requests, mentions and dedications contact bicknellmark@aol.com or markbicknell@solarradio.com Revised News - Revised News - Revised News. Just a bit of an update regarding The Soul Shack, a little over £150.00 was raised at The Orwell Two room mini Allnighter last weekend, big thanks to Mr Plumb, Flanny, Barry Maleedy and Steve Connor for all their help and support, big thanks to everyone who contributed to the raffle, it was a top night (see lookback review on here). Neil Jones will be guesting in The Soul Shack on Sunday 10th September from 8pm - 10pm - www.solarradio.com leading up to his superb Bury Town Hall Soul Night on Friday 15th September. Hope to see a few of you at The Marine Broker, London E1 gig on Saturday 9th September, another fund raiser towards the upkeep of The Soul Shack, which promise to be a fantastic night (again full details can be found on the events section here) also full details on Solar website and also via the show this coming Sunday. Looking forward to a few special guests coming in including Andy Killick,Tony Smith, Nick Hackett, Steve Connor form The Orwell Collective plus the return of Steve Plumb, Barry Maleedy and Flanny also more TBC. The show is now safe thanks to the generous contributions and donations made, again i can't thank you all enough. I will be celebrating six years on the station at the end of November and i would not have made it without the help, passion and dedication from the scene. So as ever Sunday nights will remain just a little Soulful between 8pm through 10pm www.solaradio.com Update September 24th 2006. Just to let you all know that with all the recent donations, the Orwell raffle and Marine Broker event in London, the Soul Shack is certainly safe well into the new year, again big thanks to everyone who has contributed to keeping the show going, lots of good stuff coming up in the next few shows so stay tuned, www.solarradio.com - for requests, mentions and dedications contact bicknellmark@aol.com or markbicknell@solarradio.com - Promoters note if you have an event coming up and wish me to mention it on the show please send full details well in advance and i will gladly give it a shout bicknellmark@aol.com Regards - Mark Bicknell.